Effects of chronic exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus on epidermal growth factor receptor expression in the airway epithelial cells of asthmatic rats.

Epidemiologic studies suggest that increased concentrations of airborne spores of Aspergillus fumigatus closely relate to asthma aggravation. Chronic exposure to A. fumigatus aggravates airway inflammation, remodeling, and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic rats.

[Effects of chronic Aspergillus fumigatus exposure on the expression of mucin 5AC in the airways of asthmatic rats].

Objective: To explore the effects of chronic Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) exposure on the expression of mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) in the airways of asthmatic rats.

Methods: Fifty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: chronic asthma (group A), chronic asthma plus Af spores inhalation for 1 week (group B), 3 weeks (group C) and 5 weeks (group D), chronic asthma plus saline inhalation for 5 weeks (group E), OVA-sensitized and-saline-challenged group (group F) and OVA-sensitized and-saline-challenged plus Af spores inhalation for 5 weeks (group G) (each n = 8). The airway resistance (Raw) and the change rate of Raw after acetylcholine provocation were detected using a computerized system.

[Different prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance between hyperinsulinemic and normoinsulinemic subjects].

Objective: To study the impact of different insulin levels on the conversion from impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), through analysis of different glycometabolism condition among quinquagenarian population.

Methods: Subjects enrolled were Beijing habitants who received annual physical examination [including oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)] in the Chinese PLA General Hospital from 2005 - 2007. According to the OGTT results, the subjects were divided into three groups, including normal glucose tolerance-non-hyperinsulinemia group (NGT-NHIns), IGT-hyperinsulinemia group (IGT-HIns) and IGT-non-hyperinsulinemia group (IGT-NHINS).

[The quantitative classification and survey of sanitation of urban secondary water supply in Haidian district of Beijing].

Objective: To investigate the sanitary status of urban secondary water supply facilities in Haidian district of Beijing.

Methods: Adopting the quantitative classification table drafted by the Bureau for Sanitation Inspection and Supervision of Haidian district, we carried quantitative classification (A, B, C grade) on all 1725 secondary water supply facilities in Haidian district for two times. At the same time, we collected 20 residential areas with stratified random sampling method.

[Health care status of female workers exposed to occupational hazards in Haidian district of Beijing].

Objective: To investigate the health care status of female workers exposed to occupational hazards in Haidian district of Beijing and improve the labor protection of female workers.

Methods: A questionnaire provided by National Center for Women and Children's Health of Chinese CDC was used in the survey conducted to collect information about health care status of female workers in 141 factories with occupational hazards including chemical poisons and physical factors (noise, libration, microwave, high frequency and low temperature).

Results: 141 factories were investigated, including 53 state-owned enterprises, 21 collective enterprises, 46 joint-stock enterprises, and 21 non-public enterprises.

[The application of Delphi method in improving the score table for the hygienic quantifying and classification of hotels].

Objective: By means of Delphi method and expert panel consultations, to choose suitable indicators and improve the score table for classifying the hygienic condition of hotels so that it can be widely used at nationwide.

Methods: A two-round Delphi consultation was held to choose suitable indicators among 78 experts from 18 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. The suitable indicators were selected according to the importance recognized by experts.

[The relation of asbestosis to human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosidase polymorphism and DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes].

Objective: To explore the relation of asbestosis to human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosidase (hOGG1) genotype and DNA damage, the investigation of hOGG1 polymorphism distribution and DNA strand breakages in peripheral lymphocytes was carried on in occupational population.

Methods: A total 101 asbestos-exposed workers and 141 controls were investigated. The DNA damage level was obtained by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism by PCR-RELP.

Association between polymorphisms of DNA repair gene XRCC1 and DNA damage in asbestos-exposed workers.

Objective: To compare the asbestos-induced DNA damage and repair capacities of DNA damage between 104 asbestos-exposed workers and 101 control workers in Qingdao City of China and to investigate the possible association between polymorphisms in codon 399 of XRCC1 and susceptibility to asbestosis.

Methods: DNA damage levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes were determined by comet assay, and XRCC1 genetic polymorphisms of DNA samples from 51 asbestosis cases and 53 non-asbestosis workers with a similar asbestos exposure history were analyzed by PCR/RFLP.

Results: The basal comet scores (3.

[Expression, purification and identification of recombinant human lymphotoxin alpha deletant (rhLT-alphaDeltaN27)].

Aim: To construct prokaryotic expression vector of recombinant human lymphotoxin alpha deletant (rhLT-alphaDeltaN27) and express the protein in E.coli.

Methods: The rhLT-alphaDeltaN27 gene was amplified by RT-PCR using total RNA extracted from Jurkat cells,cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET-23b, and transformed into E.